Fact Sheet ST-430 October 1994

Pandanus utilis Screw-pine1 Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

INTRODUCTION

Creating a striking landscape effect wherever it is used, Screw-Pine has a pyramidal, sometimes irregular, open, but much-branched silhouette, the smooth, stout trunks topped with full, graceful heads of long, thin leaves, three feet long and three inches wide, emerging spirally from stubby branches (Fig. 1). It is not a true pine tree. The blue-green foliage color adds to the striking nature of this exotic tree. The leaves are edged with small red spines and are used to make mats and baskets in the tropics. Branches have prominent leaf scars which encircle the stems. Large brace-roots emerge from the trunk several feet above the ground, helping to support the plant. Screw-Pine is capable of reaching 60 feet in height but is not usually seen over 25 feet in USDA hardiness zone 10 and 11, with a spread of 15 feet. Growth rate is slow to moderate, depending upon fertilization and watering schedules, and Screw-Pine is very popular for use as a specimen or container planting.

Figure 1. Young Screw-pine. GENERAL INFORMATION

Scientific name: Pandanus utilis Availability: generally available in many areas within Pronunciation: pan-DAY-nus YOO-tih-liss its hardiness range Common name(s): Screw-pine Family: Pandanaceae DESCRIPTION USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 (Fig. 2) Origin: not native to North America Height: 20 to 30 feet Uses: container or above-ground planter; Spread: 12 to 20 feet recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or Crown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with a for median strip plantings in the highway; near a deck regular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have more or patio; reclamation plant; specimen; residential street or less identical crown forms tree; no proven urban tolerance

1. This document is adapted from Fact Sheet ST-430, a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: October 1994. 2. Edward F. Gilman, associate professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611. Pandanus utilis -- Screw-pine Page 2

Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.

Crown shape: pyramidal Fruit Crown density: open Growth rate: medium Fruit shape: oval; round Texture: coarse Fruit length: 6 to 12 inches Fruit covering: dry or hard Foliage Fruit color: orange; yellow Fruit characteristics: attracts squirrels and other Leaf arrangement: spiral mammals; suited for human consumption; fruit, twigs, Leaf type: simple or foliage cause significant litter; showy Leaf margin: pectinate; spiny Leaf shape: linear Trunk and Branches Leaf venation: parallel Leaf type and persistence: evergreen Trunk/bark/branches: grow mostly upright and will Leaf blade length: 18 to 36 inches not droop; showy trunk; should be grown with a single Leaf color: blue or blue-green; green leader; no thorns (Fig. 3) Fall color: no fall color change Pruning requirement: needs little pruning to develop Fall characteristic: not showy a strong structure Breakage: resistant Current year twig color: brown Flower Current year twig thickness: stout Flower color: white Flower characteristics: pleasant fragrance; Culture inconspicuous and not showy; winter flowering Light requirement: tree grows in part shade/part sun; tree grows in full sun Pandanus utilis -- Screw-pine Page 3

and is often used as a pot plant. Sander Screw-Pine (Pandanus sanderi) has denser, more tufted foliage with golden yellow bands from center of leaf to margin.

Propagation is by seed (soaked 24-hours before planting), basal sucker division, or large cuttings.

Pests and Diseases

No pests or diseases are of major concern but occasionally scales.

Figure 3. Trunk of Screw-pine.

Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; alkaline; extended flooding; well-drained Drought tolerance: moderate Aerosol salt tolerance: high

Other

Roots: surface roots are usually not a problem Winter interest: no special winter interest Outstanding tree: not particularly outstanding Invasive potential: little, if any, potential at this time Pest resistance: no pests are normally seen on the tree

USE AND MANAGEMENT

Although the male plants possess conspicuous, fragrant flowers, it is the female plant which is preferred for landscape use because of the large, eight to nine-inch, globular fruits which hang from "cords". The fruits are made up of 100 to 200 tightly compressed drupes, similar to those of a pineapple, and change from green to yellow when ripe. There is only a small amount of edible pulp but the fruits are quite showy.

Screw-Pine produces fruit when grown in full sun but young plants may be kept in the shade. Soil should be well-drained and plants kept well-watered. Screw-Pine may be considered messy due to the constant leaf-drop throughout the year.

Veitch Screw-Pine or Ribbon-Plant (Pandanus veitchii) has white-banded, spiny leaves, does not fruit,